8 Refreshing Summer Recipes

With summer around the corner, it's time for salads, smoothies, juicy tomatoes,...

Here are 8 of the best summer healthy recipes to wet your appetite:

• Chilled Sweet Red Pepper and Beetroot Soup Recipe

http://www.maxterchef.com/2014/02/chilled-sweet-red-pepper-and-beet-soup.html

This cold soup really looks spectacular. The dark red color comes from mixing red peppers and beetroot and the flavor is not too strong.

Though beetroot and pepper sounds like an odd combination, this was definitely a winner and a cold soup I will be having again.

• Tart Cherry Tabbouleh Recipe

https://www.loveandlemons.com/tart-cherry-tabbouleh/

Bulgur or cous-cous is used instead of rice in starters such as salads, side orders and main dishes. There are many variations with different ingredients. This one uses millet instead of bulgur because it's gluten free, but if you can't find millet, you can use bulgur instead (just follow the special instructions for bulgur in the recipe).

• Chilli Crab with Fennel & Parsley Salad Recipe

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chilli-crab-shaved-fennel-parsley-salad

This delicious recipe involves no cooking. You might be tempted to use crab sticks instead of real crab meat as it is cheaper, but don't (crab sticks are processed food made with starch and pulverized white fish which might not even contain crab). If you can't find fresh crab meat and you need to use canned, make sure it contains the least amount of additives possible.

• Grilled Shrimp with Mango Lime and Radish Salsa Recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/grilled-shrimp-with-mango-lime-and-radish-salsa-recipe-1942436

Mango is very sweet and creamy and shrimp, if overcooked, can turn a bit rubbery, which is not that pleasant.

Don't cook the shrimp for more than the 5 minutes the recipe asks for or you'll end up with hard shrimp. Well cooked shrimp should be very soft and it should nearly melt in your mouth.

• Jamie Oliver's Tomato Carpaccio Recipe

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/tomato-carpaccio/

This recipe is scrumptious (that sounds very British). It is a variation, or a take rather, on the Italian Caprese salad, which is made with sliced tomatoes, topped with mozzarella and basil leaves. The interesting change here is the addition of the raspberries and the raspberries vinegar, which add a lovely touch of sweetness.

• Martha Stewart's Golden Gazpacho Recipe

http://www.marthastewart.com/314821/golden-gazpacho

There is no list of summer recipes that calls itself healthy without this Spanish cold soup. There are many versions of it: milder in flavor (without cucumber) or the traditional Spanish one with strong flavor (with cucumber). Martha Stewart's version adds yellow squash, which creates a very light color and a nice sweet flavor with the touch of the carrot juice.

• Grilled Halloumi and Peaches with Dukkah Recipe

https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2012/08/grilled-halloumi-and-peaches-with-dukkah/

This recipe brings you to the beach where you could prepare it, if you're by the sea.

For the Dukkah, you can make different combinations, instead of hazelnuts, use pistachios, almonds or walnuts, even peanuts or cashews (though the last 2 ingredients will add up calories quickly). For a healthier dressing, use honey instead of maple syrup.

• Rainbow Popsicles Recipe

http://healthyindulgences.net/2016/06/real-food-rainbow-popsicles-no-sugar-added-made-with-natural-sugar-free-sweeteners-stevia-erythritol/

This lovely fruit dessert is using nothing but seasonal produce. There is no added sugar and it is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. If you are dieting, just make sure you use the lighter option as sweetener (see the end of the recipe for details on this).

Happy eating!